Drivers are facing delays outside a supermarket in Abingdon as work to install a new gas mains continues.

Work to replace the old gas mains in Wootton Road, close to the entrance of the Aldi supermarket, started at the end of September.

Temporary traffic lights are in place, and shoppers at Aldi have to queue at the lights to get out of the car park.

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The roadworks sometimes causes the traffic to queue on the roundabout at the junction of Dunmore Road and Copenhagen Drive.

Contractors are not expected to finish on site until next month.

Nathan Ley, county councillor for Abingdon North, has been monitoring the progress of the work.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) He said in a statement: "These works are part of SGN's necessary replacement of a big and very old gas main to secure supply for local residents and businesses.

"The duration of the project has raised concerns, and I share the frustration of many about the anticipated timeline, which I have passed on.

"While this is essential infrastructure work, I have urged for it to be completed sooner if at all possible.

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"To minimise disruption, the works are being carried out with manually operated traffic lights between 7am and 7pm, avoiding a total road closure, which would have been even worse."

Mr Ley added: "They have arranged for most of the traffic management to be lifted during key local events, which makes me think it might be possible at other times.

"While delays are inevitable, I will continue to push for early completion and monitor the impact closely."

A member of staff working for I&G, contractors for SGN (formerly Southern Gas Networks), said progress is being made but the ground they were digging up "was like rock".

Bradley Barlow, spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN, said: "We're working in Wootton Road to replace our old metal gas mains with new plastic pipe, which involves excavations in the road.

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"Our project began on Monday, September 30 and is expected to be completed by Friday, December 6.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) "For everyone's safety around our work area, we've installed temporary traffic lights which we're manually operating from 7am to 7pm to keep the traffic flowing.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience our work may cause - we're working to complete our project as quickly and safely as possible."

SGN said the gas mains replacement was not taking place to supply gas to new homes on the Kings Gate estate.

Budget supermarket Aldi opened its new store in Wootton Road in Abingdon in December 2022, and a toucan crossing helping pedestrians to reach the store from the estate was switched on in July. 

It can still be used and has not been affected by the work.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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